Abstract

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence were estimated in 60 vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) genotypes using Mahalanobis
D2-statistics by considering four most economic traits. Mahalanobis D2 analysis revealed considerable amount of diversity
in the vetiver. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Cluster I constituted maximum number of genotypes (36) followed by
cluster II (14); III (6), IV (2) and one each in the cluster V and VI, respectively. The genotypes falling under cluster VI had the maximum
divergence (163.20), followed by cluster III (118.13) and cluster II (67.52). The highest inter-cluster distances were observed
between cluster III and VI (372.10) cluster II and cluster VI (235.77) and Cluster I and VI (207.35), suggesting that the genotypes
constituted in these clusters may be used for future breeding programme. Traits like essential oil yield, root yield and oil content was
the major contributors to genetic divergence. Accessions No. 20 (DH-1) followed by No. 12 (CIM Samriddhi, No. 32 (Selection -1), No.
36 (Gulabi) and No. 60 (CIM Vriddhi) can be exploited for commercial cultivation.